Pollution Policy and Research Associate

Launch your Sustainability Career with the Climate Corps Fellowship program!

SEI’s Climate Corps Fellowship program offers the chance to lead impactful climate and community resilience projects while gaining paid, hands‑on experience. This full‑time, bridge‑to‑career opportunity pairs fellows with host organizations—from local governments to nonprofits and businesses—to drive real‑world change.

Start Date: March 2nd, 2026

Length of Fellowship: 10 months

Location Type: Hybrid

Clean drinking water is a fundamental right, yet for three decades, rural communities in Northeast Oregon have faced a widespread groundwater crisis. As a Pollution Policy and Research Associate in the Climate Corps Fellowship, you will join Oregon Rural Action (ORA) to advance the “Safe Rural Water” campaign. This hybrid position expects onsite work 3–4 days per week and remote work 1–2 days per week.

The Pollution Policy and Research Associate will help expand Oregon Rural Action’s capacity for data accessibility, policy research, and environmental education, strengthening community‑led responses to urgent environmental threats in Oregon and building long‑term solutions rooted in rural leadership and equity. Specifically, the Fellow will work to advance ORA’s “Safe Rural Water” campaign—addressing a three‑decade‑long drinking water pollution problem—through watchdog research, technical analysis, policy advocacy, public education, and community organizing.

The Associate may also participate in statewide or national coalition work and strategy retreats with allied organizations.

Join us to develop your professional expertise while building a future where rural leadership and equity ensure safe water for all.

Oregon Rural Action (ORA) is a grassroots, culturally diverse, community‑led nonprofit organization in eastern Oregon. ORA works with rural Latinx, Meso‑American Indigenous, and white working‑class communities in northeast Oregon to promote social and environmental justice, agricultural and economic sustainability, and stewardship of the region’s land, air, and water. The organization builds community leadership teams and collaborates with other community‑based and statewide organizations to solve problems, including developing innovative ways to meet needs.

• Conduct watchdog research on sources of pollution in the Lower Umatilla Basin—including CAFOs, industrialized agriculture, processed food factories, data centers, power plants, and more.
• Monitor and engage with key county, state, and federal natural resource agencies on issues related to Lower Umatilla Basin pollution.
• Develop environmental educational materials based on the Policy Team’s research and analysis, and potentially conduct public education activities.
• Attend regular coalition meetings with allied organizations to advance policy priorities and build strong statewide relationships.
• Attend virtual meetings and take detailed notes on issues relevant to ORA’s priorities.
• Travel to the Lower Umatilla Basin, the Oregon State Capitol, or other parts of the state as required.

• Strong technical literacy, including the ability to use technology and understand technical documents (GIS, data mapping, reviewing agency data reports).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Motivation to solve problems.
• Commitment to environmental justice for rural communities.
• Highly organized and able to stay on task.
• Coursework or a degree and/or commensurate experience in pollution and/or policy (preferred).
• Ability to travel to rural sites; must have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle access.
• Ability to work on a hybrid basis (3–4 days onsite, 1–2 days remote). Candidates must currently reside within reasonable commuting distance of the site address.
• Commitment to a fair workplace that honors the experiences, voices, viewpoints, and values of all individuals.
• Authorization to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship (SEI cannot sponsor visas).
• Physical ability to move up to 25–50 pounds as required.

• Experience living or working in rural communities,…